Feeding mechanism



ec. 9, w52 H. mgm-:RMN 2,621,041

' FEEDING MECHANISM Filed May 22, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 9, 1952 H. E. DICKERMAN 2,621,041

FEEDING MEcHANIsM y med may 22, 195o A TTORNEYS Patented Dec. 9, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for feeding successive portions or sections of material.

The principal objects of the invention are directed to the provision of apparatus which is constructed and arranged to advance successive lengths of material to a using mechanism such as the die mechanism of a press.

The apparatus of the invention'is adapted for various uses but for purposes of disclosure is referred to as being adapted for feeding strip metal.

According to novel features of the invention, a

slide is reciprocable between a rear position and a forward position so that a strip has portions of a certain predetermined length moved forwardly successively, there being stationary gripping means and other similar means associated with the slide.

It is one object of the invention to provide gripping means which, while normally adapted to grip a strip, are augmented in their gripping action by the operation of other gripping means through the action of means common to both and, through said means, the releasing function of the gripping means is enhanced.

As a further object of the invention, both gripping means may be simultaneously operated for releasing a strip and either or both of said gripping means may be otherwise operated to release the strip.

The gripping means may be adjusted to accommodate strip material of different thickness and as a special feature the apparatus is constructed and arranged to operate on very thin strip material.

As a still further object of the invention, the apparatus is constructed and arranged whereby should the strip material be buckled or kinked the gripping means is caused to release the same thereby protecting the apparatus against injury.

All of the above objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts thereof, as will fully appear by a perusal of the description below and by various specific features which will be hereinafter set forth.

To the above cited and other ends and with the foregoing and various other novel features and advantages and other objects of my invention as will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds. my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims hereunto annexed and more Afully accompanying drawings wherein:

Figs. 1 and 2 are side elevational and plan views of feeding apparatus embodying the novel features of the invention;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the strip engaging components of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the support, slide and associated parts omitted for purposes of disclosure;

Fig. 4 is an inverted plan view of one of the adjusting screws of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the pressure plates of the apparatus;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the forward end of one of the abutment levers;

Figs. 7 and 8 are plan views of the ends of the friction members of the apparatus;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9 9 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 10 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 showing the apparatus in association with an operating cam.

In the above mentioned drawing annexed I hereto and forming a part of this specification, I

descril'aedv and'referred to in connection with the 'V55 have shown but one embodiment of my invention which is deemed preferable, but it is to be understood that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail, and referring more particularly to the preferred form of my invention selected for illustrative purposes, I have shown an elongated support which is represented by 2 which is adapted to be secured to a member of a press, die set, or the like and has a forward end slide part 4 which is shown in -cross section in Fig. 9.

A slide 6 is fitted for back and forth reciprocation on the forward portion 4 of the support and a gib B is adjustable therein by screws I0 in the ordinary manner.

A vertical wall I2 extends upwardly from the rear side of the slide and a roll I4 is rotatable on a stud I6 thereof. A wall I8 similar to the wall I2 extends upwardly from the rear end of the support 2.

The wall I8 is provided with a bore 20 and a rod 22 has an end 24 which is in threaded engagement with the rear wall 2D, as shown in Fig. 2.

A forward end of the rod 22 extends through an opening 2B in the wall I2 and carries a head 28 disposed in a bore 36 in said wall I2 as is best shown in Fig. 2.

A compression spring 32 surrounds the rod 22 and has a rear end portion which is disposed in the bore 20 of the wall I8 and has a forward end portion which abuts the Wall I2.

With the support 2 secured to a die-set which is secured in a press or the like, an actuating cam member or the like in downward movement of a press or die-set part engages the roll I4 to move the slide rearwardly on the support and against the spring 32. As the roll is released by the cam, the spring moves the slide forwardly or to the left. This is the feeding movement of the slide.

The rod 22 being in threaded engagement with the wall IB, the limit of separation of the slide and support is readily adjustable by adjusting said rod 22 whereby the stroke of the slide and length of strip sections to be fed may b e varied, as desired.

Generally in operation the slide is moved to the right so as to engage the strip of material and is moved to the left so as to feed the said strip forwardly to the using mechanism such as a die-set, or the like.

Studs 36 and 38 project forwardly from the walls I2 and I8 respectively on which similar abutment or pressure levers 40 and 42 respectively are oscillatable. As in Fig. 6; the said levers 45 and 42 are channel-shaped in their cross section and have upper webs 44 and spaced side cheeks 46 and 48 ldepending therefrom. Manually engageable parts 50 extend rearwardly from said levers.

Forward and rear anvils 52 and 54 extend laterally of the slide and support for supporting a strip being fed forwardly by the apparatus.

Forward and rear elongated strip engaging members 58 and 60 are provided which have inner adjacent ends that are frictionally associated by means of friction clutch mechanism indicated generally by 62.

The side cheeks of the levers 40 and 42 are provided with notches 88 and 18 respectively. Forward and rear struts or plates 'l2 and 'I4 respectively, as shown in Fig. 5, have upper ends disposed in the notches 68 and 10 respectively of the levers 40 and 42.

The plates 12 and 14 are provided with lower and upper' openings such as 59 and 1|, shown in Fig. 5. These plates have inserts 13 secured to lower ends thereof which may be formed from hard material such as carbide or the like for bearing on material being fed by the apparatus.

The forward or outer end of member 58 is provided with a reduced portion 58,l see Fig. 7, for extending through the lower opening 69 of plate 12 and a spring anchor 18 extends upwardly from the extremity of the member 53.

The rear or outer end of the member 68 has a reduced portion 8| whichextends through the lower opening of plate 14 and this plate has a spring anchor 82.

Ears 12' and 14' extend inwardly from the rear cheeks of the levers 40 and 42, see Fig. 3. A spring 15 has a rear end connected to ear 12 of lever 40 and a forward end extending through opening 1| of plate 12, is connected to the outer end 18 of member 58. A similar spring 80 has its rear end connected to ear 14 of lever 42 and a forward end extending through plate 14 and connected to a tongue 82 of the rear end of member 00, shown in Fig. 8.

The clutch mechanism 62 includes spaced vertical side extensions 84 and 86 of member 58 and plates 88 and 98 above member 60 and between said member and member 58. A spring 92 overlies the uppermost plates and a transverse retainer 94 is provided which overlies said spring.

The plates or at least some of them may be of friction material such as fiber as in clutch constructions and the arrangement is such that the members 58 and 60 are frictionally clutched together for relative sliding movements under certain conditions.

The side portion 86 of member 58 is provided with a manually engageable part 81.

Bosses 90 and 98 extend forwardly from the walls I2 and I8 of the slide and support. Upper walls of the levers 40 and 42 are provided with slots 91 and 98 and adjusting screws |00 and |02 extend through these slots and are in threaded engagement with the bosses 96 and 98. The said screws at upper ends are provided with square portions such as |04 and |06, as in Fig. 4.

The screws |00 and |02 are arranged to limit counterclockwise movements of the levers 40 and 42. The levers may be depressed clockwise and the screws turned so that the corners of the squared portions thereof overlie said levers. This holds the lever with the forward ends elevated. Springs |0| and |83 around screws |00 and |02 urge the levers 40 and 42 upwardly or counterclockwise when the screws are turned so that the squared portions may enter the slots 91 and 98 of said levers.

Forward lower portions of the cheeks of the levers 40 and 42 are provided with notches |08 and IIO, as shown, to receive ears II2 and ||4 of members 5B and 50.

In the operation of the apparatus with member 2 thereof secured to the stationary member of a die-set or press, the slide is moved rearwardly or to the right in non-feeding direction as the cam of the movable member engages and acts on roll I4. Strip material is passed over the anvils 52 and 54 from right to left and the lower ends of plates 12 and 14 are disposed on said strip. The levers 40 and 42 are spring pressed counterclockwise to act on the plates 12 and 14.

The strip material is usually supplied in roll or coil form and as the slide is moved to the left in feeding direction by spring 32 a portion of the strip is fed forwardly. The strip is engaged between the lower end of plate 12 and anvil 52. The length of successive portions depends on the length of the stroke of the slide. The limit of separation of the slide and rear end of the support is determined by the adjustment of rod 22. Therefore the length of successive portions of strip material may be as desired.

The springs ICI and |03 urge levers 40 and 42 counterclockwise so lower ends of plates 12 and 14 bear on the strip over the anvils 52 and 54. Springs 16 and 80 tend to urge members 58 and garearwardly thereby assisting springs IUI and The screws |00 and |02 are adjusted up or down to control the pressure action of springs |0| and |03 according to the strip material being fed.

As the slide 6 moves to the right, the ear II2 of member 58 is engaged by a side of the notch |08 in lever 40 so that member` 58 through the clutch mechanism urges the member 60 rearwardly or to the right causing the plate 14 to firmly press the strip to the mandrel 54. This action prevents any rearward movement of the strip.

As explained previously, theA reduced ends of members 58 and 60 extend through the lower openings of plates 12 and 14. Hence, when the slide moves to the right the member 58 through clutch 62 acts on member 60 to force plate 14 to the right against the pressure of spring |03.

Also during this movement, the lower end of plate 'I2 is moved forwardly by member 58 so that it slides along the strip.

When the slide moves forwardly or to the left, the strip is wedged between plate 'l2 and member 52 so as to be carried forwardly. At the same time member 80 through clutch 62 is urged forwardly by member 58 whereby the strip is free to slide between plate 'I4 and member 54.

Should there be a ripple or kink in the strip as often occurs, more particularly in thin stock, the pressure exerted by lever 42 is overcome thereby as is that of lever 40 so that that portion of the strip will not j am the mechanism.

When it is desired to release pressure of either of the levers 40 or 42 they may be moved clockwiseA to elevate the forward ends. The screws |00 and |02 are turned so that the squared portions of the screws overlie the said levers to hold the forward ends thereof in elevated position.

The manually engageable part 8l of the clutch mechanism may be engaged with a forward and upward movement which elevates members 58 and 60 to elevate the levers 40 and 42. This permits shifting, insertion in or withdrawal of a strip from between the gripping members.

The apparatus, as described in the patent to Dickerman No. 2,188,473 of January 30, 1940, may be associated with a punch press, die set or the like which requires successive lengths of material; that is a certain length of strip for each cycle of operation of the press. As explained, a cam is associated with the movable element of the press or die set which on the operating or down stroke thereof acts on a roll of the feed mechanism to move the slide thereof rearwardly or-to the left to engage the strip to feed it forwardly as the movable element moves upwardly. In this way, the predetermined length of strip is disposed for operation of the cooperating punches or the like.

According to this invention, after each or during each downward movement of the movable member of the die set or punch press the strip is released.

This has been found desirable and necessary. As the strip-is free, stresses and strains therein may be relieved. The strip may adjust itself relative to guides and the like.

For purposes of illustration, a cam |20 is shown in Fig. 10 which has an angularly disposed lower face |22 and a vertical face |24. This cam is secured to the movable element of a punch press or die set and the feed apparatus is secured relative to the stationary element of said press or die set. In the down stroke of the movable element the angular face |22 of the cam in engagement with the roll I4 moves the slide to the right in non-feeding direction until the vertical face |24 of the cam engages the roll.

In the downward movement of the cam While the vertical face of the cam |24 is in engagement with the roll, the coacting tools of the die set are operating on the strip. The vertical face of the cam is provided with a forward oifset |26 which may be a few thcusandths of an inch.

As the offset of the cam and roll come into engagement spring 32 of the feed mechanism kicks the slide 8 forwardly a few thousandths of an inch. In this action the member 00 is moved forward slightly, there being slight clearance between the lugs H4 thereof and notches ||0 of lever 42 so that plate '14 frees the strip. As movement of the cam is reversed or the cam is moved upwardlyso thatv cam face |24 again engages roll |4, the slide is moved slightly to the right or in non-feeding direction so that plate l2 releases the strip. There is a slight movement forwardly of the slide and then a slight movement rearwardly thereof.

Thus the strip is freed by the plates 12 and 14, so that it may move slightly to relieve stress and strains and become adjusted to guides, etc., while the end thereof in the die mechanism is more or less held thereby.

The slight forward movement of the slide takes place subsequent to the operation of the tools acting on the strip or at a time when releasing of the strip will not interfere with the action of the tools on the strip. The slight forward movement of the slide may be su-ch as to release the strip for a short interval of time if desired.

Guide means may be secured to the support as at 3 for guiding the strip through the apparatus and forms no part of the present invention.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Hence, the present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects merely as being illustrative and not as being restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications and variations as fall within the meaning and purview and range of equivalency of the appended claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is is desired to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

i. Feeding mechanism comprising in combina tion, a support, a slide reciprocable on the support forwardly in feeding stroke from a rear position and vice versa, rear releasable gripping means on the support for gripping material in rearward movements of said slide, forward releasable gripping means on the slide for gripping material in forward movements thereof for feeding the same, actuating means engageable with said rear and forward gripping means operable by said slide in rearward movements thereof for augmenting the gripping action of the rear gripping means and releasing said rear gripping means on forward movements thereof and arranged to permit the gripping action of said forward gripping means in said forward movements.

2. Feeding mechanism comprising in combination, a support, a slide reciprocable on the support forwardly in feeding stroke from a rear position and vice versa, rear releasable gripping means on the support for gripping material in rearward movements of the slide, forward releasable gripping means on the slide for gripping material in forward movements thereof for feeding the same, actuating means engageable with said forward and rear gripping means including a clutch mechanism operable by movements of said slide rearwardly to augment the gripping action of said rear gripping means and release said forward gripping means and to release said rear gripping means and permit the gripping action of said forward gripping means on forward movements of said slide, and separate means to vary the gripping action of said rear and of said forward gripping means.

3. Feeding mechanism comprising in combination, a support, a slide reciprocable on the support forwardly in feeding stroke from a rear position and vice versa, rear releasable gripping means on the support for gripping material in rearward movements of the slide, forward releasable gripping means on the slide for gripping material in forward movements thereof for feeding the same,

actuating means. engageable. with said forward and rear gripping means operable by movements of said slide rearwardly to augment the gripping action of said rear gripping means and release said forward gripping means and to release. said rear gripping means and permit the gripping action of said forward gripping means on forward movements of said slide and being operablev to release either said rear or forward gripping means.

4. Feeding mechanism comprising in combination, a support, a slide reciprocable on the. support forwardly in feeding stroke from a rear position and vice versa, rear releasable gripping means on the support for gripping material in rearward movements of said slide, forward releasable gripping means. on the slide for gripping material lin forward movements thereof for feeding the same, actuating means engageable with said rear and forward gripping means operable by movements of said slide rearwardly to permit the gripping action of said rear gripping means. and release said forward gripping means and to release said rear gripping means and permit the gripping action of said forward gripping means on forward movements of said slide, said actuating means arranged to sin'niltaneous1yY release said rear and forward gripping means.

5. Feeding mechanism comprising in combination, a support, a slide reciprocable on the support forwardly in feeding stroke from a rear position and vice versa, rear releasable gripping means on the support for .gripping material in rearward movement of the slide, forwardreleasable gripping means on the slide for gripping ma- I terial in forward movements thereof for feeding the same, actuating means engageable with said rear and forward gripping means operable `by movements of said slide rearwardly to augment the gripping action of said rear gripping means and release said forward gripping means and to release said rear gripping means and permit the gripping action of said forward gripping means on forward movements of said slide, means torelease either said rear and forward gripping means, and said actuating means arranged to simultaneously release said rear and forward gripping means.

6. Strip feeding mechanism comprising in combination, a support, a slide reciprocable forwardly on said support in forward strip feeding direction from a rear position and vice versa, forward and rear releasable strip gripping means on said slide and support respectively, grip releasing means engaging said forward and rear gripping means operable by the rear gripping means as the slide moves rearwardly to release the forward gripping means and operable by the forward gripping means to release the rear gripping means as the slide moves forwardly..

7. Strip feeding mechanism comprising in combination, a support, a slide reciprocable. forwardly on said support inforward strip feeding direction from a rear position and vice versa, forward and rear releasable strip gripping means on said slide and support respectively, grip releasing means engaging said forward and rear gripping means operable by the rearv gripping means as the slide moves rearwardly to release ing on one end of each of said levers to swing them in gripping direction, plates movably connected at upper ends to an opposite end of each oivsaid levers and having lower ends for engaging a strip on said lanvils, adjustable means swinging said levers in gripping direction and manually engageablev means for swinging said levers against the action of said springs and' in an opposite non-gripping-` direction whereby said plates may release. a strip on said anvils.

8. Strip feeding mechanism comprising in combination, asupport, aslide reciprocable forwardly on said support in forward strip feeding direction from aA rear position and vice versa, forward and rear releasable strip gripping means on said slide and` support respectively and each including strip gripping plates, grip releasing means engaging said forward and rear gripping means operable by the reargripping means as the slide moves rearwardly to rrelease the forward gripping means Vand operable by the forward gripping means to release the rear grip ping means as the slide moves forwardly, said grip releasingmeans including separate elongated members having outer ends movably connected to the plates of'said forward and rear gripping means and means frictionally engaging inner ends of said members.

9. Stripfeeding mechanism comprising inl combination, a support, a slide reciprocable forwardly on said `support in forward strip feeding direction froma rear position and vice versa, forward and rear releasable strip gripping means on said slide and support respectively, grip ref leasing meansengaging said forward and rear gripping means operable by the rear gripping means as the slide moves rrearwardly to release the forward gripping means and operable by the forward gripping means to release the rear gripping means as the slide moves forwardly, said forward and rear gripping means including anvils on said slide and support, levers pivoted onv ,f separate elongated members having outer ends movably connected to the plates of said forward and rear gripping` means and means frictionally engaginginner ends of said members.v

HUBERT E. DICKERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following referencesl are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 763,195 Merz June 21, 1904 900,335 Williams Oct. 6, 1908 1,124,577 Allen Jan. 12, 1915 1,127,343 Allen Feb. 9, 1915 1,960,537 Hartwell May 29, 1934 2,188,473 Dickerman Jan. 30, 1940 2,342,049 Holmbeck Feb. 15, 1944 

